Kevin Rohrer
New member
99% of all people are oblivious to everything outside their personal space, especially women.
Live at Yellow, die at White.
Opinions after a year of concealed carry
- Thread starter flightline
- Start date
99% of all people are oblivious to everything outside their personal space, especially women.
Live at Yellow, die at White.
OkieCruffler
New member
There are those people who are proficent enough and train enough with their personal weapon that can get by with a subcaliber handgun. But in my experience those are not usually the people carrying the .22, .25 or even .32. Usually the people I talk to who are carrying those are the people who buy the pistol, one box of "whatever is cheapest" ammo and put the gun in their pocket after reading thru the first couple of pages of the manual.
Thanks for sharing your opinions and experiences, but...
I'm curious how carrying a concealed weapong for a little over a year gave you such knowledge about caliber. In #3, you state that caliber matters?
I agree to some extent, but not completely. Yes, a bb is probably not adequate. A .22 LR might very well be, depending on one's abilities and the situation they're in.
Bigger might be better, but not necessarily so. If a person can't shoot it well, they're better off with the .22 LR.
I've been carrying since the early 1980's, and I still don't often carry the biggest caliber or cartride I can shoot well. In fact, for most situations I'm pretty comfortable with a .38 special. Easy to carry, and enough for most situations one is unfortunate enough to get into.
Daryl
I'm curious how carrying a concealed weapong for a little over a year gave you such knowledge about caliber. In #3, you state that caliber matters?
I agree to some extent, but not completely. Yes, a bb is probably not adequate. A .22 LR might very well be, depending on one's abilities and the situation they're in.
Bigger might be better, but not necessarily so. If a person can't shoot it well, they're better off with the .22 LR.
I've been carrying since the early 1980's, and I still don't often carry the biggest caliber or cartride I can shoot well. In fact, for most situations I'm pretty comfortable with a .38 special. Easy to carry, and enough for most situations one is unfortunate enough to get into.
Daryl
I don't believe that being in a shootout would necessarily shed anymore
light on the caliber arguments. I have been unlucky enough to have
been in 2 separate shootings. The first one I was carrying a S&W M64
and discharged one round of Winchester Ranger +P 130 grain JHP.
The second one I was carrying a Springfield XD45 and discharged
one round of Speer Gold Dot 230 grain JHP. In both cases the
recipients of said bullets were disabled and ceased to be a threat.
Both incidents were robbery attempts. One was armed with a small
revolver and the other with a section of galvanized pipe. I now carry
a Glock 22 in .40 S&W. Is this an effective self defense round?
Depends on your definition of effective I guess.
CCW is all about compromise and what is true for one, may not be so for another.
I'd like to carry a 30 round 600 nitro pocket pistol, but I've compromised with a Glock G26 for summer and a 1911 for winter, even though there ar many smaller 380's. For me capacity is an issue also, even though most incidents are done in just a few rounds.
Then there is clothes. You don't always get to wear what you want. Speedo's are completely out for obvious reasons.
I'd like to carry a 30 round 600 nitro pocket pistol, but I've compromised with a Glock G26 for summer and a 1911 for winter, even though there ar many smaller 380's. For me capacity is an issue also, even though most incidents are done in just a few rounds.
Then there is clothes. You don't always get to wear what you want. Speedo's are completely out for obvious reasons.
Justice06RR
New member
Good post Flightline.
In my more than 1yr of carrying, I've learned quite a lot of things although I know there's much to learn. I've went through 5 different semiauto pistols for conceal carry within a year, trying to figure out which setup and which firearm best suited my needs.
what I learned the most is that other people really don't notice or even pay attention to what others are wearing. so theres no point of being anxious when carrying, because other people wont even look to see if you had a concealed firearm to begin with.
In my more than 1yr of carrying, I've learned quite a lot of things although I know there's much to learn. I've went through 5 different semiauto pistols for conceal carry within a year, trying to figure out which setup and which firearm best suited my needs.
what I learned the most is that other people really don't notice or even pay attention to what others are wearing. so theres no point of being anxious when carrying, because other people wont even look to see if you had a concealed firearm to begin with.
CCW, one (or so) year after
+1 to the notion that people really are not very observant. Four years ago, my first official CCW trip out of the house was to Wal-Mart, "carrying" a Ruger LCP in a holster in my front jeans pocket. I spent time in front of the mirror certain it was obvious to the vast, concerned public that there was some extra "junk" in my pants. Evidently, no one I'm not married to cares about my junk, and the vast, concerned public didn't and still doesn't spend lots of time gazing at my waist and southwards looking for something out of the ordinary.
It would be nice to carry what you shoot well, but it doesn't always work that way. I shoot a 1911 .45 and a single action .22 / .22MAG in my collection the best. Unfortunately, the 1911 gouges me under the ribs when I sit carried in either of the 2 holsters I have for it, and the single action .22 with 5" barrel is not really a practical defense choice. Especially in hot weather I carry the mentioned LCP (in .380) subcompact. I don't shoot this pistol well beyond 20 feet (does anyone?) but I carry it almost anywhere comfortably. A compromise between the LCP and the 1911 (for me) is the Glock 19. Easy to carry, I shoot it better than I thought I could and 15 rounds of acceptable caliber! With the right holster it is surprising how easy it is to carry comfortably, which brings me to my last point for one year (or more) of CCW.
Different holsters for the same weapon make a big difference! Don't sweat spending money (if you can afford it) looking for that "perfect" match between weapon and body type for comfortable all-day carry. I'm still looking for that perfect holster for the full-sized 1911 and my body (I'm short waisted). I have a couple of holsters for the Glock 19, one of which was expensive but I cannot get to fit snuggly and another which was from the bargain bin at Bass Pro and works perfectly for me. Finally, I found a hip holster for the little LCP that cost about $20 that greatly improved accessibility when seated for that weapon vs. carrying around in my front pocket... A few dollars spent on the right holster can make a world of difference!
+1 to the notion that people really are not very observant. Four years ago, my first official CCW trip out of the house was to Wal-Mart, "carrying" a Ruger LCP in a holster in my front jeans pocket. I spent time in front of the mirror certain it was obvious to the vast, concerned public that there was some extra "junk" in my pants. Evidently, no one I'm not married to cares about my junk, and the vast, concerned public didn't and still doesn't spend lots of time gazing at my waist and southwards looking for something out of the ordinary.
It would be nice to carry what you shoot well, but it doesn't always work that way. I shoot a 1911 .45 and a single action .22 / .22MAG in my collection the best. Unfortunately, the 1911 gouges me under the ribs when I sit carried in either of the 2 holsters I have for it, and the single action .22 with 5" barrel is not really a practical defense choice. Especially in hot weather I carry the mentioned LCP (in .380) subcompact. I don't shoot this pistol well beyond 20 feet (does anyone?) but I carry it almost anywhere comfortably. A compromise between the LCP and the 1911 (for me) is the Glock 19. Easy to carry, I shoot it better than I thought I could and 15 rounds of acceptable caliber! With the right holster it is surprising how easy it is to carry comfortably, which brings me to my last point for one year (or more) of CCW.
Different holsters for the same weapon make a big difference! Don't sweat spending money (if you can afford it) looking for that "perfect" match between weapon and body type for comfortable all-day carry. I'm still looking for that perfect holster for the full-sized 1911 and my body (I'm short waisted). I have a couple of holsters for the Glock 19, one of which was expensive but I cannot get to fit snuggly and another which was from the bargain bin at Bass Pro and works perfectly for me. Finally, I found a hip holster for the little LCP that cost about $20 that greatly improved accessibility when seated for that weapon vs. carrying around in my front pocket... A few dollars spent on the right holster can make a world of difference!
Triggernosis
New member
Silverado makes a good point about finding the right holster for YOU. Sometimes it's a bargain-basement nylon holster that works best for a person and not an expensive custom leather one.
MikeNice81
New member
I second that thought trigger. People keep giving me a hard time because I carry a $13 BLACKHAWK! holster. To me it is more comfortable than the $89 High Noon holster I tried. It allows me to carry in exactly the right spot unlike a couple of other holsters I had.
It is versatile and comfortable. The only problem is it doesn't stay open after I draw. Not a big problem to me. If I pull it out the gun isn't going back in until the PD arives.
It is versatile and comfortable. The only problem is it doesn't stay open after I draw. Not a big problem to me. If I pull it out the gun isn't going back in until the PD arives.
I have had my Concealed Carry Permit for a couple years. I was in Law Enforcement for 17 years before that, and did not need one.
I carry several different handguns, just because I can. What I carry can be decided by the weather out, where I am going, or by what I might decide to wear.
In cooler weather when I am wearing a jacket, vest or coat that I may have to take off. I normally carry my 638 in an inside pocket on my cover garment. I keep the vest, jacket, etc with me when I have to remove it.
Summer I have gotten into the habit of buying my shirts in Tall to get a little more length. I like to carry my 638, 310 Night Guard, and 625 in 3" under an untucked shirt. Nylon Fishing shirts work well in hot weather. My favorite carry option for warm weather.
A hair cooler and I will go with a 1 size to large shirt with long tail worn like a jacket. This will work with my 4" 64, my 4" 610, and 1911.
I like Lobo's Pancake holsters for my revolvers. I mostly carry my 1911 in a Rafter S (Black Shark Skin) Askins Avenger style holster. I carry everything at app the 4 O'Clock position.
I shoot all of my carry guns in our monthly Defensive Pistol Match. Some times I will shoot 2 of them, some times I might shoot 4 or 5 different guns if we have a lite turnout. I use my carry holsters to shoot the matches. The monthly pistol match is my practice. I might shoot at other times, but I make the pistol match every month.
My 2 most carried handguns (Town Carry) at this time would be my 638 and my 310 Night Guard. The N Frame Airweight is no problem to carry at all.
Running around on my ATV or UTV over at a buddies, etc I am likely to be carrying my 4" Model 64. This is my main SSR match pistol, and I like it for bumming around carry. Right now I have it full of HP ammo. In the Summer it is likely to be loaded with 2 shotshells, and 4 semi wadcutters. Most of my gun fights are with poison snakes.
I do not subscribe to only shooting one gun for ccw, and shooting it well. A while back I shot 5 guns in one day in a match. I beat my 1911 CDP score with my 64 in SSR. My total point spread was around 10 points between all 5 guns. If I had brought out my XDm 40 I doubt that the results would have been any different on the score spread.
If for some reason I might be at a threat level higher than my normal Green. I would be carrying my 1911, or my 310.
Just my 2 cents
Bob
I carry several different handguns, just because I can. What I carry can be decided by the weather out, where I am going, or by what I might decide to wear.
In cooler weather when I am wearing a jacket, vest or coat that I may have to take off. I normally carry my 638 in an inside pocket on my cover garment. I keep the vest, jacket, etc with me when I have to remove it.
Summer I have gotten into the habit of buying my shirts in Tall to get a little more length. I like to carry my 638, 310 Night Guard, and 625 in 3" under an untucked shirt. Nylon Fishing shirts work well in hot weather. My favorite carry option for warm weather.
A hair cooler and I will go with a 1 size to large shirt with long tail worn like a jacket. This will work with my 4" 64, my 4" 610, and 1911.
I like Lobo's Pancake holsters for my revolvers. I mostly carry my 1911 in a Rafter S (Black Shark Skin) Askins Avenger style holster. I carry everything at app the 4 O'Clock position.
I shoot all of my carry guns in our monthly Defensive Pistol Match. Some times I will shoot 2 of them, some times I might shoot 4 or 5 different guns if we have a lite turnout. I use my carry holsters to shoot the matches. The monthly pistol match is my practice. I might shoot at other times, but I make the pistol match every month.
My 2 most carried handguns (Town Carry) at this time would be my 638 and my 310 Night Guard. The N Frame Airweight is no problem to carry at all.
Running around on my ATV or UTV over at a buddies, etc I am likely to be carrying my 4" Model 64. This is my main SSR match pistol, and I like it for bumming around carry. Right now I have it full of HP ammo. In the Summer it is likely to be loaded with 2 shotshells, and 4 semi wadcutters. Most of my gun fights are with poison snakes.
I do not subscribe to only shooting one gun for ccw, and shooting it well. A while back I shot 5 guns in one day in a match. I beat my 1911 CDP score with my 64 in SSR. My total point spread was around 10 points between all 5 guns. If I had brought out my XDm 40 I doubt that the results would have been any different on the score spread.
If for some reason I might be at a threat level higher than my normal Green. I would be carrying my 1911, or my 310.
Just my 2 cents
Bob
I find flightline's statement more accurate than
Skadoosh is putting words in flightline's mouth by insisting that flightline is focusing on the handgun's ability to kill.
I submit that all defensive handgun cartridges are under powered (compared to long arm weapons such as 12 gauge and 7.62mm) that is why we are taught to shoot twice to center of mass, assess, and proceed as necessary. It is how fast the cartridge can incapacitate (primarily by causing blood pressure loss) that is the measure of a defensive cartridge's effectiveness, not its apparent deterrence as Skadoosh is focusing upon.
In the rare event anyone draws their weapon in self-defense it is likely that the threat will retreat at the sight of the defender with a gun. However, in the extremely more rare event that shots are necessary to stop an attacker who does not retreat, than you only have what you have chosen to carry. I choose 10 rounds of 10mm auto and a 2+ pound gun.
Sure is great we actually get choices. Well, in most states we do.
Master Blaster 2
Moderator
I have had a concealed permit for 38 years and have carried. I usually carry a snubbie revolver or a mid sized auto in a OBH. A pancake style. Hot days is a Keltec in the pocket.
I too, have been carrying for about a year and I have to agree with the majority of flightline's original post, particularly the part about most people not noticing. Most people are completely oblivious. That includes me, too. I have yet to see anyone else printing enough for me to be able to tell. I have almost no inclination to check out anyone else's waistline to see if they're carrying! 
On occasion, I'll look to see if my wife is carrying and can't tell. She'll do the same with me and can't really tell.
My greatest fear is not that I won't have a large enough caliber, my greatest fears are that I will either not have enough ammo or that my pistol will malfunction in some way. Whether I carry a 9mm with 15 rounds or a .45 with 7 rounds and an extra mag with 7 more rounds, I make sure I have at least that many rounds.
I also keep the pistols clean and take them to the range as often as possible to stay familiar with what it's like to shoot.
Carrying two concealed weapons in NM is prohibited but if it were allowed, I'd definitely have a backup pistol or revolver.
Good thread.
--Wag--
On occasion, I'll look to see if my wife is carrying and can't tell. She'll do the same with me and can't really tell.
My greatest fear is not that I won't have a large enough caliber, my greatest fears are that I will either not have enough ammo or that my pistol will malfunction in some way. Whether I carry a 9mm with 15 rounds or a .45 with 7 rounds and an extra mag with 7 more rounds, I make sure I have at least that many rounds.
I also keep the pistols clean and take them to the range as often as possible to stay familiar with what it's like to shoot.
Carrying two concealed weapons in NM is prohibited but if it were allowed, I'd definitely have a backup pistol or revolver.
Good thread.
--Wag--
My opinions
I'm a very old man and not strong. So, as a result of my opinions,
I carry the biggest caliber I can handle. A 9mm auto.
I carry it everywhere, all the time, in IWB.
I practice with it and its siblings often.
I read and contribute to several forums.
I'm not through learning.
I'm a very old man and not strong. So, as a result of my opinions,
I carry the biggest caliber I can handle. A 9mm auto.
I carry it everywhere, all the time, in IWB.
I practice with it and its siblings often.
I read and contribute to several forums.
I'm not through learning.